Sustainability
CircusAid maintains a goal of transferring leadership of activities to local representation. By training local leaders in effective CircusAid practices, more people can participate long term. Simultaneously, we support Greek-based employment through providing means of professional development training and local paid skilled labor.
The project involves international and local circus artists, social circus educators, sustainable development engineers, partner organisations, local university representation, Greek-based artists and occupational therapists and the refugee populations that participate in the project.
Learn more about our Sustainable Business Model / Scalability in Funding Here.
“Maglio tells Buzzworthy that ‘throughout history circus has been an effective means to empower marginalized communities, giving them a platform to creatively express dissatisfaction with oppressive socio-political infrastructures’, she also emphasizes the benefits of ‘life skills’, like problem-solving, reciprocity, teamwork, empathy and perseverance.”
Interested in getting involved with CircusAid? Find out more about funding and sustainability here, and consider donating at the link below.
CircusAid Partners
Press and Collaborations
Jill talked with Dr Kate Riegle van West about the benefits of poi, circus arts, and occupational therapy to promote positive social and emotional health for political and environmental refugees. Dr. Kate will be joining the next Holistic Circus Therapy certified training to share her research, knowledge and insights on using poi for aging populations. Find out more
— SPIN POI INTERVIEW
Extensive evidence on occupational deprivation supports that opportunities for occupational engagement and the acquisition of life skills during the refugee migration journey are essential components to healthy resettlement,’ Jill says. ‘This evidence is the foundation of CircusAid projects in which we aim to collaborate with other organizations to help the debilitating occupational deprivation experienced by refugees.’
— OT NEWS UK
"Maglio tells Buzzworthy that throughout “history circus has been an effective means to empower marginalized communities, giving them a platform to creatively express dissatisfaction with oppressive socio-political infrastructures”, she also emphasizes the benefits of “life skills, like problem-solving, reciprocity, teamwork, empathy and perseverance”. Find out more
-BUZZWORTHY
Have you ever been to the circus and on the way out thought ‘how good was that!’ Not only are the skills fantastic to watch but they are great fun to try too. The color, the movement, the team work, the sense of achievement as you practice and progress through the skills. Circus skills and arts offer so much as an inclusive activity – the skills gained are only a small part of what circus training offers.” Find out more
—MEDILL REPORTS CHICAGO
"Maglio’s approach to social circus is deeply influenced by her background as an occupational therapist: “Research supports that occupational deprivation results in mental health issues while social circus results in increased resilience and community connection. We all know children need to play for healthy development. We forget adults need to play too, especially during this time of vulnerable redevelopment” Find out more
— CIRCUS TALK
"I brought equipment to make 25 hula hoops and as soon as the guys in the camp saw what I was doing, they rushed over to help. They wanted something to do. I also brought feather balancing and juggling balls. The objective wasn't that people learn circus skills, but that people were interacting, and laughing, and smiling. They had a bit of time and respite from the trauma they're experiencing to promote their resilience for the next stage of the journey." Find out more